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Billionaire brothers Zuber and Mohsin Issa want to build the 85-acre multi-faith cemetery in land, which has previously been undeveloped, near Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire. Locals have hit back, saying the plot – which is the size of 68 football pitches – will encroach on wildlife, devalue properties and bring unwanted noise, light and traffic pollution to the tranquil area.

Nearly 4,000 people have signed a petition to Hyndburn Borough Council to oppose the development.

Environmental, highway and water authorities have also raised concerns, with residents launching a campaign group to legally contest the proposals.

The group, which go by the name of Say No To The Cemetery, has so far raised a war-chest of £14,000. They have used the funds to hire a landscape architect, law firm and planning consultant to prove the cemetery is both unnecessary and damaging.

The cemetery is also being built on land that suffers flooding every winter, meaning water running across graves could contaminate waterways, reports Lancs Live.

Construction could also endanger wildlife with the completed project bringing an increased amount of traffic to an area that already suffers due to busy roads.

A primary school overlooks the site – potentially causing disruption for children – whilst 24-hour floodlights will create light pollution seven days a week.

The campaign group is also claiming the cemetery will devalue properties in the local area by up to 50%.

Excavation may take months or more than a year and will require 67,000 trucks of material. Extension levelling work will also level the rolling Lancashire hills.

A spokesperson for Say No To The Cemetery said: “The locals do not want this – it’s as simple as that. We don’t want to lose our greenbelt.

“The cemetery is going to be severely damaging to the community in so many different ways, which is why our group is raising funds to pull together a technical rebuttal and fight back.

“Our heritage status is at threat here. We know this is a David vs Goliath battle but we will not back down.”

Speaking in November, Issa Foundation said: “[The] need for burial plots within the North West of England has become critical, a situation made worse by COVID-19.

“The proposal is a matter of public interest for the Muslim community and is of strategic importance for the North West area.”

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